Page 19 of Saved By My Buyers

Relaxing, she nods. “Good, that’s good,” Dahlia whispers to herself. I wonder why that’s good, when she turns with a brighter smile. “So what are we watching?”

“Whatever you want,” I say with a shrug. I think she mentioned once that she likes mysteries. Setting up the projector, I clamber up into bed with her. “I think I saw a new mystery movie that just came out on my streaming app, but it has subtitles. Will it hurt your head to read?”

“No, it won’t,” she says, shaking her head. “I’m starting to feel better. I may be hungry.”

“Well, lucky for you, I brought snacks,” I grin as I open my laptop and push the box over with snacks. Five minutes later, I’m curled up watching the movie with her.

Dahlia really does seem more relaxed and happier. If I had any hand in that, then I’m glad. We spend the day binge watching movies and order pizza for dinner, and her headache doesn’t return.

Chapter Four

A month Later

Dahlia

It’s been pretty quiet at the mansion, and I’m so used to being alone, it’s an added bonus that Bronwyn enjoys spending time with me. Sometimes, we crash out in the same bed together because the other doesn’t want to go to their room. I love that because it means my nightmares stay away on those nights.

Mom and Gareth aren’t back yet from their honeymoon, which isn’t surprising somehow to me. The hospital insisted he take all the time he needed now before it got busier. I also would have thought Mom would have had a harder time taking time off, but apparently since she’s married to Gareth it’s not an issue.

How convenient.

Unfortunately, they’re coming home today, so I am looking for an excuse to be somewhere else. Gareth really scared the shit out of me that night in the kitchen. I’ve never had an encounter where someone grabbed me by the hair and said disgusting things to me.

I’ve only seen Jack intermittently over the last month because he’s been traveling, and his Dolly radar is too damn good. He would know there’s something wrong.

Jack:

Come out of hiding, Dolly. I want to go ice skating and eat junk food. Bring Bee with you.

My lips twitch as I read his message. He’s been asking me more often how things are going. Jack also gave me a very embarrassing lecture last week about how he would love me regardless of who I date. Girls, boys, he doesn’t fucking care.

It was an excruciating phone call, but I guess Bee and I haven’t been very good at hiding our friendship or feelings. There’s excitement in my voice when I talk about her, which prompted the call from him.

Her hand finds mine in her sleep to hold it, which may be why I love when she passes out in my bed. She and I haven’t talked about any of it yet though.

Jack is always the first to figure shit out, even though I didn’t tell him about how we’ve been falling asleep in each other's beds for the last week pretty regularly. Damn Dolly radar.

Walking to Bee’s room, I find her putting away her laundry. While the maids wash everything, we both insist that we can do this ourselves. She’s not all spoiled, appreciates the things that are done for her, and makes jokes all the time about how big the house is.

“Jack is asking for proof of life,” I say, surprising her as I lean against the wall with a smirk. “We’ve both been busy this summer. Want to go ice skating and grab burgers after?”

“Isn’t he going to want you for himself?” Bee teases, but I can see the pout she’s rocking from here.

Rolling my eyes, I come closer and show her the text message he sent me.

“Oh, he really invited me too?” she asks, blinking as if she doesn’t believe what she read.

We’ve been going out a couple of times a week with her friends, so they can show me their favorite places in Detroit, or they come over to swim in the pool. I love that they’re so nice. I keep waiting for one of them to be condescending or mean, but it hasn’t happened.

Bee noticed the way I would tense whenever I said something slightly off the wall, and asked me about it. She reminded me that not everyone is an asshole.

“I think he’s sweetening the trip out by dangling you in front of me,” I tease her, forcing myself not to cringe. I don’t know why I said that…

Bee just grins, putting her arm around my waist and kissing me on the cheek. It’s a loud lip smacking kiss, and my eyes widen because it’s my first kiss. Winking at me, she closes the dresser drawer with a flourish.

“Well then, is it working?” she asks sweetly. I can’t remember how to speak. God, what would I do if she kissed me for real? Do I want that? “Dolly?”

Occasionally, when she really needs my attention or she’s worried about me, she’ll call me Dolly and it always startles me. I guess that’s the intention.

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